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’94 Oldsmobile Achieva Special Edition SLAt the dawn of the ’90s, General Motors’ large customer base of first-time buyers was driving around in the boxy original J-body-series of econo-cars (Buick Skyhawk, Chevrolet Cavalier, and Pontiac Sunbird) that dated in design back to ’82. While the second generation of J-cars wouldn’t arrive until ’95, in the meantime GM readied a new line of cars designed to capture the business of repeat customers wanting to move a notch up in size, yet do so on a budget. Hence, the birth of the current-generation Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Achieva, and Pontiac Grand Am, known in GM-ese as “N-bodies.”

Customers expected these new front-drivers to be roomy, trouble-free, relatively fun to drive, inexpensive to operate, and priced to please even the most modest budget-a tall order for any car to fill. The resultant trio of family-spec coupes and sedans offered a good mix of comfort, features, and value, for a palatable price, causing the series to be considered a success. The Grand Am, with its sporty image, led its siblings in the sales race by capturing nearly 20 percent of the market niche. Targeted toward a slightly older, more affluent audience, the Skylark and Achieva soon found themselves trailing in the sales race.

Beginning with the Achieva’s ’92 introduction, Oldsmobile fueled excitement into the lineup by offering a performance-leading coupe. Powered by a 2.3-liter/190-horse Quad 4 engine, the SCX performance variant ran more quickly and handled more crisply than any other Oldsmobile. However, in the years that followed, the raucous four-cylinder’s engine output was reduced in favor of a smoother powerplant. Even in castrated form, today’s 150-horse engine offers enough power to satisfy sporty drivers. This low-production car set the tone for the series, giving the Achieva a performance flair that helped it stand out from Oldsmobile’s traditionally conservative line, appealing to a more energetic audience.

Olds offered a new six-cylinder engine for ’94, a 3.1-liter/155-horse sequential fuel-injected OHV V-6 with 185 pound-feet of torque. When ordering our long-term car, we decided to wring this new motor out in a sedan. By checking Special Edition Sedan on the order form, we received a car packaged with the V-6 engine, automatic overdrive transmission, and sport suspension, for a base price of $16,510. The only option was the remote-lock package. With the destination charge, the total sticker barely topped the $17,000 mark.

Many items on the Special Edition’s long list of standards, such as air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, and a six-speaker AM/FM/cassette stereo, usually are pricey options in this class. Our Achieva also included 16-inch wheels, power windows and door locks, and cruise control.

All ’94 Achievas benefited from the addition of several standard features: a driver-side airbag, a tilt steering wheel, pulse wipers, theater dimming interior lights, and a sophisticated door-lock system. For added security, the Achieva locks automatically when the gearshift is moved from the Park position, and unlocks when the ignition is turned off. Few sedans can match this level of equipment for under $18,000, and it’s this high value that’s brought success to the Achieva and its GM siblings.

The Achieva’s sharp yet conservative appearance was the major attraction for the buyers we surveyed. Its restrained lines are augmented on the SL sedan by sporty touches, such as the upgraded wheels. Unlike the over-40 driver profiles of other Olds models, nearly 50 percent of surveyed Achieva owners were under that age. And, there are indications the Achieva is cultivating many future Oldsmobile owners: More than 80 percent of the owners said they would consider buying another Olds. A businessman from Nevada wrote, “This is the first American car I’ve owned in a long time that was fun to drive and looked good. I will definitely buy another Olds.”

Owners reported high overall satisfaction. Beyond the long list of standard features, smooth V-6 power, quiet ride, and stately appearance, stands a generally underrated midsize sedan. Termed a “driver’s car for the nondriver” in our logbook, the Achieva’s handling is adequate but lacks feedback. One editor described the handling as “standard-issue econocar,” but others noted that the ride is comfortable for daily driving. Owners found it enjoyable to drive, and just over 90 percent of the survey group described dynamics as excellent or good.

The 155-horsepower V-6 engine provides quick throttle response for merging or passing, yet it sips sparingly from the fuel tank. Overall, acceleration from the 3.1-liter engine left the staff uninspired, with a 9.5-second 0-60 mph time. Among owners, however, power was rated highly. An attorney from Wisconsin wrote, “I’m very glad I got the V-6 engine-it has great pickup and just purrs.” Offering five more horsepower over today’s Quad 4 four-cylinder, the V-6 shines with its higher torque rating, which is appreciated when the Achieva has a carload of passengers.

We freed our test car from its daily regimen as a Los Angeles urban commuter when we relocated it back to Detroit via a cross-country road trip. The seemingly endless highway miles flashed by. In driving extremes-the stop-and-go traffic of Southern California and traversing the great Western plains-the Achieva proved itself to be comfortable, reliable transportation, and a sufficiently stealthy (read: nearly invisible) long-range mile-eater.

However, the extended hours spent in the car left us with mixed feelings about the interior. The contoured seats proved comfortable for most body sizes, and the interior was reasonably spacious, with adequate room for back-seat passengers. There were also some nice touches (a swooping dash, plentiful storage nooks), but they were offset by some awkward features (poorly located door handles, hard-to-see gauges). It seems as if sound engineering was limited by corporate parts buying, resulting in several details that were out of place in an Oldsmobile, such as dated-looking door switches and radio face. Sadly absent was a dead pedal for resting your left foot, and wheelwell intrusion limited foot room. Owners concur, reporting a desire for more leg space, and also for more rear-seat room. On the other hand, the cavernous 14.0-cubic-foot trunk could swallow luggage and groceries, and still ask for a second helping.

Buying a car is largely an emotional experience, and the owners we contacted felt strongly about their Achievas. Quality was rated highly, and owners were generally pleased with their cars. Holding with Oldsmobile’s reputation among domestic makers, few problems arose among the respondents’ Achievas. Our test vehicle was completely trouble-free during its one-year and 16,189-mile tenure-a noteworthy accomplishment, as regular MT readers will attest.

The standard, no-charge Oldsmobile Edge service program includes a 30-day satisfaction guarantee to ensure that new owners are pleased with their purchases. If the retail buyer isn’t satisfied, Oldsmobile offers credit toward the purchase of another of its cars (certain restrictions apply). The Achieva also is protected by Oldsmobile’s three-year/36,000-mile Bumper-to-Bumper Plus warranty, which covers parts and labor. Additionally, rust-through protection covers six years or 100,000 miles of use. While one of its vehicles is undergoing a warranty repair, Oldsmobile dealerships provide local shuttle service for the customer’s convenience, and they reimburse the owner for rental transportation if necessary. These are just a sampling of the benefits Oldsmobile’s Edge program provides to all Olds customers. Other pluses include 24-hour roadside assistance, emergency lock-out service, and computerized trip routing.

As a car designed to be all things to all people, the Achieva’s bland packaging left our staff uninspired. However, in view of its overall value, a feature-laden, V-6-powered sedan for under $17,000 is certainly worth a test drive by a prospective midsize-car buyer, and a non-performance enthusiast could find the Achieva to be ideal for daily transportation. For those looking for that old-time standard of comfort, reliability, and low ownership cost, Oldsmobile’s Achieva can fill the bill.

1994 Oldsmobile News and Reviews

'94 Oldsmobile Achieva Special Edition SLAt the dawn of the '90s, General Motors' large customer base of first-time buyers was driving around in the boxy original J-body-series of econo-cars (Buick Skyhawk, Chevrolet Cavalier, and Pontiac Sunbird) that dated in design back to '82. While the second generation of J-cars wouldn't arrive until '95, in the meantime GM readied a new…